Raising Lucy Read online

  When I arrive on the first floor, I decide to head for the kitchen. I assume Evelyn will be in there. She can direct me where to go next, I hope.

  As soon as I step inside, I find I was correct. Evelyn is rushing around the room. Weston is also in the kitchen; he’s sitting on a bar stool. Both of them turn as I enter.

  Evelyn beams at me. “Oh, sweetie, don’t you look pretty?”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “You do. Prettiest girl I’ve seen,” Weston comments.

  “Master Roman is in the library with his guests,” Evelyn adds. “Weston will show you where it is.”

  “Thank you, sir.” I wait for him as he stands and then joins me at the door. It’s strange that I don’t know my way around this house, but I’ve only had the pleasure of entering the few rooms that I’ve needed. Even though I’ve moved in and slept here last night, I still have only seen a small fraction of the mansion.

  I hear voices as I follow Weston toward the front door I entered when I came for my interview. He leads me past the entrance to a set of double doors that are standing open to reveal a large room that is most definitely a library.

  Weston clears his throat. “Miss Lucy has arrived, sir,” he announces.

  “Ah, thank you, Weston.” Master Roman strides across the room to meet me. He holds out a hand as he approaches. His face is lit up.

  I’m well aware there are four other people in the room, but I haven’t had the nerve to look their direction yet. My gaze is on Master Roman.

  When he reaches me, he lifts my chin with his fingers. “You look beautiful, blossom. That dress is lovely on you.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” My cheeks flame.

  He takes my hand and leads me farther into the room.

  I shuffle my feet, feeling reluctant. This seems like the worst idea ever. But I’m determined not to disappoint my Master. With my gaze down, I feel decidedly ridiculous all of a sudden. My patent leather shoes and frilly socks are laughable. The fact that my dress is poofy and too short and my nipples are visible makes me almost run from the room.

  I don’t though. Somehow I manage, reminding myself that Master Julius, his housemates, and Mistress Claudia are in the lifestyle.

  “Master Julius, you remember Lucy,” Master Roman says by way of introduction.

  “Of course. Don’t you look stunning tonight.”

  I see his hand in front of me and lift my gaze slowly to meet his as I take his hand. He shakes mine firmly and then releases me, angling toward the two men to his left. “These are my housemates, Beck and Levi.”

  I swallow as they each shake my hand.

  “So nice to finally meet you,” the dark-skinned man who I realize is Levi states.

  “Yes. We’ve heard a lot about you,” the pale blond, who is Beck, adds.

  I’m unnerved. They’ve all heard about me before today.

  The only female in the group steps forward from Julius’s right. She is wearing a long gown in deep green that hugs her perfect curves and looks extremely elegant.

  Even if I were dressed in my best clothes and had every sort of makeup I own in place and had my hair tamed to the smallest poof possible, I would still look twelve next to this woman.

  Master Julius introduces her. “Lucy, this is Mistress Claudia.”

  Mistress Claudia holds out her graceful hand with her recently manicured fingernails that have white tips and pink nailbeds. She has on several rings and a gorgeous diamond bracelet. I take her hand in my childish one and murmur, “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Oh, Roman, she’s so sweet. I love her,” Mistress Claudia exclaims. She gives my hand a squeeze before she releases it.

  I can’t breathe. I think I’m going to hyperventilate. She loves me. She is playing the role I’m in. For the millionth time, I’m both horrified and aroused.

  I glance down at my blunt nails, ragged from nervously biting them. They are nothing like Claudia’s.

  “I’ll make you a Shirley Temple, blossom,” Master Roman announces before he leaves me standing there with these adults and heads across the room toward a bar.

  This is when I notice that Julius is holding a tumbler with a brown liquid in it. Probably whiskey. Beck and Levi each have a beer. Mistress Claudia has a glass of white wine. I lower my gaze and shuffle my feet, knowing they are both watching me.

  I’m not a drinker. I’ve never had alcohol in my life. I wouldn’t have waisted money on it, nor do I like to feel out of control. But I feel decidedly ridiculous when Master Roman hands me a glass filled with what I assume is Sprite with a splash of grenadine. He’s also placed a cherry in it. And a straw.

  I take a sip. It’s really good. I’ve never had a Shirley Temple. It’s been ages since I’ve had soda. The only drinks I’m ever offered in this house are milk and water.

  “Shall we sit down?” Master Roman suggests. “Evelyn will have dinner ready soon.” He leads us across the room, and I take the time to look around, trailing behind everyone. The room is done in the same dark paneling as nearly the entire house. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls. In the center of the rear wall is an enormous fireplace, ornately carved and inviting. A fire is burning in it now.

  As we approach, I observe the furniture arranged in front of the fireplace. There are two high-back maroon leather armchairs and a matching sofa. Master Julius sits on the sofa, Beck and Levi joining him. Mistress Claudia perches on one of the armchairs. She crosses her ankles and sits as though she’s a trained model. She could be for all I know.

  Master Roman lowers himself into the other armchair, and then he reaches out for me to join him. I’m not sure if I’m comforted when he parts his legs for me to perch on his thigh between them or if I’m further mortified.

  The dress poofs out behind me, leaving my bottom against his suit pants. Tonight he is wearing a dark gray suit with a light blue shirt and black tie. He has on the matching jacket. If I saw him on a crowded street, I would stop and drool over him.

  He wraps his hand around my hips, holding me close as he’s done before. His other hand holds his drink. I’m grateful he isn’t able to stroke my thigh. The distraction would make me squirm more than I’m already fighting.

  “I’ve heard so much about you, Lucy,” Mistress Claudia declares. “Roman tells me this is your first day living here.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I’m confused by everyone’s admission that they’ve heard about me. I lift my gaze to fully take Claudia in. She is stunning. Her blond hair is cut in a bob that frames her face. She has blue eyes and sexy dimples when she smiles. Her skin is tanned, perhaps from a lotion. She is smiling at me indulgently. It’s not condescending. It’s exactly appropriate for the role I’m playing.

  “Well, I can tell you you’re in good hands. Roman is the best Master I know. He’ll ensure you reach your fullest potential.”

  Julius chuckles. “Who’s the best Dom you know?”

  She laughs and sips her wine. “You all can fight for the title later. How about you come to the club and perform together. I’ll be happy to direct the scene,” she jokes.

  Master Roman laughs, making my body jiggle. “I’d like to see this.”

  “It will never happen,” Julius jokes while Beck and Levi groan and roll their eyes.

  I squirm on Master Roman’s leg.

  “Sit still, blossom,” he admonishes.

  I finish my drink, and he takes the glass from me to set it on the end table next to the chair. “Enough sugar for you. You’ll be bouncing off the walls.”

  I flush. I’m obviously capable of handling my sugar, but I realize twelve-year-old Lucy might not be.

  “Dinner is ready, sir.” Weston’s voice, coming from the double doors, draws my attention. I’m not sorry that we are moving this party into the dining room. I want to get this evening over with and go back to my own room to ponder what I’ve experienced alone.

  I’m a long way from that happening, however. I still have to get through dinner.
<
br />   The formal dining room is located on the same side of the house as the library. I follow Master Roman and his guests, watching them from behind. Five grown adults who are about forty years old. Even if I weren’t playing the role of a twelve-year-old, I would still be half their age. I’m young in this group by any standards.

  Should this bother me? For some reason it does not. I would see Master Roman as a figure of authority in my life no matter how old either of us was. He carries himself with an air of dominance that I’m certain has always been a part of him. It’s what I’m attracted to. It’s the reason I went to his club in the first place.

  I’m drawn to powerful figures. I crave the attention I’ve gotten from Master Roman like a dying man in the desert craves water.

  Maybe it really is because I never had a father who even looked my direction, let alone raised me or disciplined me or cared about me. I glance up at Master Roman as he takes my hand and leads me into the dining room. He’s smiling at me. He’s proud of me.

  Chapter 29

  Lucy

  * * *

  I glance around the dining room, taking in the long table that would hold at least twenty, but is set for six on one end. The room is elegant, as I would expect. The focal point, and what catches my eye, is the chandelier. It’s enormous with hundreds of dangling crystals.

  Master Roman pulls a chair out for me—the one next to the head of the table. He slides it in after I’ve sat down. I’m beyond acutely aware of my panties, which are the only thing between me and the plush velvet maroon cushion. He even tugs the hem of my dress out from under my bottom and spreads it out around me.

  He’s smiling when he leans down and whispers in my ear. “You look precious, blossom.” He takes a seat at the end of the table.

  I blush. “Thank you, Sir.”

  Claudia sits to my right. Julius, Beck, and Levi take seats across from us. Master Roman sits at the head of the table.

  Evelyn scurries into the room and sets a salad at each place setting.

  “Thank you, Evelyn. That looks delicious,” Claudia praises. “I had the most horrible fast food for lunch. I really needed to see some fresh vegetables this evening.”

  Evelyn nods. “Enjoy.” And then she’s gone.

  I pick up my fork with everyone else and survey the contents of my plate, praying Evelyn doesn’t serve anything I can’t recognize. I don’t consider myself a picky eater. The problem is that I haven’t been exposed to many things. This makes me nervous every day, but so far Evelyn has proven that I love nearly all foods.

  “Eat your salad, Lucy.”

  I glance at Master Roman to find him staring at me with one brow lifted. When I shift my gaze, I find Claudia smiling at me. Encouraging me with a look.

  I stab my fork into some spinach and bring it to my mouth, realizing Master Roman’s demand is part of our play. Everyone at the table is going along.

  “Good girl.” He turns to face Julius. “Luckily Lucy isn’t a picky eater. I’m glad I don’t have to spend half of every day coercing her to eat. Kids are so wasteful these days. They have no appreciation for their good fortune.”

  I chew my second bite while he speaks of me as if I’m not there. My belly clenches. He had just praised me, but on the other hand, I’ve heard a warning in there too. I hope he doesn’t think I’m not appreciative of everything he’s done for me. I feel like Orphan Annie most of the time. Beyond grateful. Not only do I have a job and food and clothing and a roof, but also someone who’s fulfilling a deep-seated fetish at the same time.

  I don’t want to let Master Roman down. I don’t want to disappoint him. I will do my best to be exactly the little girl he’s asking me to be.

  Julius says something business related, and the five of them begin to discuss clients and numbers. Everyone is well-educated. Though I know I’m intelligent, and I made good grades in high school, I never went to college. I’ve never even considered the possibility.

  “What do you want to be when you grow up, Lucy?” Claudia interrupts my thoughts to ask.

  I set my fork down and sit up straighter. The question takes me off guard. I don’t have an answer.

  Evelyn removes the salad plates while Claudia smiles at me indulgently again.

  “Don’t rush her, Claudia,” Master Roman responds. “She’s still young. She has plenty of time to figure out what she wants to be.” He grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it. “I want to let her be a princess for a while.”

  I love his answer. It’s perfect, and I tip my gaze to him, grinning wide. I start to swing my feet under the chair too.

  When he releases my hand and sets his palm on my bare thigh, I suck in a breath. Arousal slams into me. Wetness leaks onto my panties. His fingers stroke too close to my sex, idly.

  He finally removes his hand as Evelyn sets our main course in front of us. By then my nipples are stiff again, and I know everyone can see them pressing against the silk of my dress.

  I breathe out slowly when I take in the lasagna on my plate. It looks and smells delicious, and I no longer have to worry about what I might be expected to eat. I also notice my portion is significantly smaller than Master Roman’s, for which I’m grateful. He can’t expect me to clean my plate if I’m served more than I could possibly eat. So far, this has never been an issue. It’s as if Evelyn knows exactly how much I can handle.

  While Master Roman speaks to his guests, I eat. It’s a relief actually. I don’t want to be included in their conversation. I would feel inadequate. I’m glad they all see me as a child who doesn’t understand.

  I glance around at them, wondering if I might ever be as knowledgeable about any particular subject as they are. Age. Experience. Maybe even some schooling? It seems like a pipe dream right now, but considering how different my life is from just a few weeks ago, anything is possible.

  As Evelyn clears the table, Master Roman tugs on one of my braids. “Would you like some ice cream, blossom? It’s almost your bedtime.”

  I perk up. Ice cream sounds divine. I haven’t had any for a long time. “Yes, Sir.”

  It turns out Evelyn serves everyone a scoop of vanilla. I eat mine slowly, enjoying every bite. When I’m finished, Master Roman meets my gaze. “You need to go on up and get ready for bed. I’ll come tuck you in soon.”

  “Yes, Sir.” I push my chair out and stand. My damn nipples are hard again. Every time he speaks to me, they stiffen. I can’t stop my reaction to him. Do other girls react so sexually during age play? “Nice to meet you all,” I say to everyone.

  “You too, honey. Sleep well. I’m sure we’ll see you again soon.” Claudia is so kind to me. I see no judgment in her eyes. In fact, I feel that she approves of this arrangement.

  Master Roman wraps an arm around my torso and pulls me against his side to kiss the top of my head. His hand slides down to my thighs and runs up under my skirt. He strokes my bottom through my panties.

  I can’t breathe with him touching me like that. I’m going to have trouble walking. My legs turn to rubber as he squeezes my butt cheek. Finally, he gives me one last pat on the bottom and releases me.

  I say nothing as I scurry from the room. I’m completely aroused. Every inch of my skin is tingling. I miss his touch immediately. I wish no one else had been in the room and he would have ordered me to kneel before him naked. My thoughts run wild.

  It’s difficult, but I force myself to walk down the hallway and up the back stairs to my room. No one is around, and I’m grateful I don’t have to face Nancy as I shut my bedroom door and make my way to the bathroom. I don’t want anything to interrupt my high. My arousal.

  I stare at myself in the mirror for several minutes, admiring the dress, wondering if I’ll get to wear it again someday. I can see that my breasts are still obscene under it. Pressing against the thin silk that wasn’t cut to contain breasts. It’s intentional. It flattened me. It forced my nipples to be obvious.

  It’s odd that of all the things I’ve consented to, I’m b
othered by my chest. I just spent the evening with five grown adults in a frilly, little-girl dress that barely covers my butt and flouncy socks and pink patent shoes with little buckles, and I’m still obsessing over my uncontained boobs.

  Maybe it’s because that’s the part I know everyone can easily notice. Especially after we sat down at the table. No one else was watching what happened under the table. They couldn’t readily see that I was sitting on my panties. That my legs were swinging. That I felt so natural under the table. But my chest was a different story.

  I jerk my gaze away, hoping it will get easier every day. I need to get ready for bed before Master Roman comes to tuck me in. I haven’t forgotten for a minute that he specifically told me he would inspect my shaving. It’s had me in knots all evening.

  I quickly unzip the side of my dress and tug it over my head, leaving me standing in the bathroom in my panties and shoes and socks. Should I put the dress down the chute? It seems like it should go on a hanger. I don’t have access to the closet though, and no one has suggested otherwise, so I open the chute and drop it in.

  I set my shoes on the floor, and remove my panties and socks next. I certainly wasn’t given permission to keep either of them. After grabbing the thin white nightgown off the counter, I shrug it over my head. It’s like a baby doll lingerie. Thin. See-through. Lacy. Extravagant. I feel like Cinderella.

  The gossamer material is so light, it’s like cotton candy. Delicate lace lines the neck, the short, poofy sleeves, and the hem. It lands just barely under my bottom, and it teases my nipples instantly.

  I rush to use the toilet and then brush my teeth, deciding to leave my braids for now. I’m not sure what Master Roman wants me to do with my hair. It doesn’t need to be washed. In fact, if I washed it every day, it would be a disaster of poof.

  With a deep breath, I scamper to the bed and slide under the covers. A glance at the clock tells me it’s nine thirty. The lights will go out in half an hour. There is no way I can concentrate on reading, so I fold my hands over the covers and try to still my racing heart.